On Memorial Day we remember those who have died for our freedom.
We remember their courage and bravery, their service and sacrifices, and their families and friends who mourn them.
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This weekend I say thank you to the many who have paid the ultimate price to uphold the principles upon which this nation was founded.
We must never take liberty for granted, but must take time to pause and acknowledge the bravery of America's finest men and women.
In Honor Of Our Fallen Heroes....
To mark Memorial Day this year I thought I might share some quotations form Irish men and women, together with the patriotic words of an Irish American President.
"Be my epitaph writ on my country's mind,
'He served his country and loved his kind'."
~Thomas Davis (1814-1845)
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory no one can steal."
~ From An Irish Headstone.
"Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth;
Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth...."
~ Thomas Moore
"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces
but also by the men it honors,
the men it remembers."
~John F. Kennedy
"Life springs from death: and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations."
~ Patrick Pearse
"It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can suffer the most who will conquer."
~ Terence Mac Swiney
"Let every nation know,
whether it wishes us well or ill,
that we shall pay any price,
bear any burden,
meet any hardship,
support any friend,
oppose any foe
to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
~John F. Kennedy
"Liberty without learning is always in peril;
learning without liberty is always in vain."
~John F. Kennedy
"The only thing for the triumph of evil
is for good men to do nothing."
- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
"God willing He'll keep them
who died fighting in war
God willing their memory
won't stray from us far.
God willing He'll bless them
who still fight the good fights
God willing He'll bring
them safe home to our hearts."
~ Irish Blessing For Soldiers
"Until we meet again, may God
Hold you in the palm of his hand."
~ Irish Blessing
Prayers For Those Who Mourn
"The light of God surround you,
The love of God enfold you,
The power of God protect you,
The presence of God watch over you."
~ Anonymous
"This day and always,
May God's strength direct you,
May His power sustain you,
May His wisdom guide you,
And His vision light you.
His ear to your hearing,
His word to your speaking,
His hand to uphold you,
His pathway before you,
His shield to protect you,
And his legions to save you."
"On that day when the weight deadens on your shoulders
and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you.
And when the ghost of loss gets into you,
may a flock of colors -- indigo, red, green, and azure blue --
come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
and the stain of ocean blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours,
and so may a slow wind work these words of love around you,
an invisible cloak to mind your life."
~ John O'Donohue, Anam Chara.
"May you see God's light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Not turn your heart to stone,
And may you always remember
You do not walk alone."
~ Irish Blessing In Time Of Sorrow
I hope you enjoy this collection of sayings and prayers especially for Memorial Day. Have a wonderful holiday.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Blessings
- Irish Wedding Blessings
- Irish Toasts And Blessings For A Happy New Year
- May You Be Blessed With The Spirit Of The Season
- Donegal Sunsets
Symbols of Ireland
- Ireland's Arched Bridges
- Old Irish Boreens
- Celtic Christening Gowns As Family Heirlooms
- What Is A Shillelagh?
Sheila
I especially like the quotation from John O'Donohue's book. What beautiful words of support.
Irish American Mom
Sheila - I love all of John O'Donohue's spiritually uplifting writings, and these words are especially reconfirming.
Take care,
Mairéad
Penny Wolf
“It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can suffer the most who will conquer.”
~ Terence Mac Swiney
I have felt this very way more than once in my lifetime and seen it as well. However I have never known
until now how to put it in words. I love it! It's like finding a missing puzzle piece, thank you and Happy Memorial day.
Irish American Mom
Hope you had a lovely Memorial Day, Penny. I love this quotation too. We must never forget how much our troops and their families have suffered for this nation. But I think this quotation has a universal application. It definitely can be applied to everyday life also.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Mairead, you know I love quotes. Thanks for sharing these. I especially like the ones by JFK and also the Irish blessings ones and the Irish headstone one. Beautiful words!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Cheryl - hope you had a great holiday weekend.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sara
I'm glad you included this Irish quote. It's one of my favourites, and reflects why the Irish have achieved as much as they have:
“It is not those who can inflict the most,
but those who can suffer the most who will conquer.”
~ Terence Mac Swiney
Irish American Mom
I really like that one too, Sara, and it's truly appropriate for Memorial Day.
Enjoy the day!
Mairéad
Robert
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Irish American Mom
Robert - Thanks for the information about your company.
All the best,
Mairéad